Mud
Well-known member
I was thinking of tools that are more or less obsolete and the first that came to mind was a saw set. I probably haven't seen one in 25years. Then again I ain't no carpenter. Any others you can think of?
Obsolete tools.
- Thread starter Mud
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neophyte
Well-known member
Saw sets are still used by craftsmen who use traditional woodworking hand saws. This would include some timberframers and cabinetmakers, so while not overly common saw sets are still around.
chris142
Well-known member
I have a puller for pulling hubs and drums from cars that use a tapered axle shaft and hub. I also have an olds CV boot installer. I gave my matco carb adjusting set away. I needed it a few weeks later.
DonPowers
Well-known member
blown94conv
Well-known member
My distributor wrenches don't get a lot of use anymore.
lakota
Well-known member
Ignition wrenches, don't think I've even used them in the past when I had a point ignition system and worked on it yearly.
Drum brake tools, last used 15 years ago. Hate drums, love disc.
Machine shop tool: Shaper, replaced by mill.
Drum brake tools, last used 15 years ago. Hate drums, love disc.
Machine shop tool: Shaper, replaced by mill.
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twertsy
Well-known member
I thought that too........then I helped a bud do the brakes on his '99 ram this weekend and couldn't find my damn spoon. Yes, a screwdriver works but the spoon is so much easier. Besides, I collect old cars, which all have drums, a lot of times 4 of them.
RustnGrease
Well-known member
Might be obsolete but it's the only option for us that own and restore Willys Jeeps. Ruined two drums since i was young and dumb and used a 3 jaw puller. The proper puller costs less than two new drums. Obviously i found out the hard way.
rancherbill
Well-known member
Spinner handles
Ign
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gayler
Well-known member
My nomination is Saltus style wrenches. Has a set for close to 15+ years and never once remember using them or finding a situation where they were the only solution to a problem.
Heck, I'm trying to put together a set of those at the moment.
Moose364
Well-known member
My nomination is Saltus style wrenches. Has a set for close to 15+ years and never once remember using them or finding a situation where they were the only solution to a problem.
That is one of my Fav tools, I have a Mac set in SAE working on putting together a set in Metric
My Old Tools
Well-known member
You might think these old boring machines are obsolete, but I sell a number of them to timber framers for off grid use or to cut a single frame, and the Amish still use them too.
kd3pc
Well-known member
You might think these old boring machines are obsolete, but I sell a number of them to timber framers for off grid use or to cut a single frame, and the Amish still use them too.
now that will give you a work out, sitting down or standing.
As an electrician, I still use a bit brace and drill bit for some things, it is just easier and less chance of hurting something near by than even the battery stuff. Doesn't wind up insulation in walls, etc, etc
bests
I guess in that same vein a Yankee driver would be too.
Don't know, my dad had one. I personally think they're neat and probably have a really specific great use I just don't know it. Many of my obsolte 'tools' are software. Lucky me most of my work related hand tools have been screwdrivers, nut drivers, solder station & various prying/placement type tools.
Don't know, my dad had one. I personally think they're neat and probably have a really specific great use I just don't know it. Many of my obsolte 'tools' are software. Lucky me most of my work related hand tools have been screwdrivers, nut drivers, solder station & various prying/placement type tools.
bwringer
Well-known member
Lots of modern cars (OK, cheap cars...) still use drum brakes. Nothing obsolete about those tools.
Looking at this from another area (motorcycles) and another angle (safety), I'd say mercury carb/throttle body synchronizers (vacuum gauges) are obsolete. You can't even get mercury gauges any more, actually.
There are modern tools, such as the Morgan Carbtune, that don't use liquids, and don't run the risk of slurping up the liquid mercury and generating a nice big cloud of mercury vapor if you happen to rev the engine a little too high and chop the throttle.
We could probably think of lots of other tools that are obsolete because they're dangerous.
Looking at this from another area (motorcycles) and another angle (safety), I'd say mercury carb/throttle body synchronizers (vacuum gauges) are obsolete. You can't even get mercury gauges any more, actually.
There are modern tools, such as the Morgan Carbtune, that don't use liquids, and don't run the risk of slurping up the liquid mercury and generating a nice big cloud of mercury vapor if you happen to rev the engine a little too high and chop the throttle.
We could probably think of lots of other tools that are obsolete because they're dangerous.
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AceofSpad3s
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Yankee screwdrivers are good for outlet face plate screws.
WhiffySpark
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Ratcheting screwdrivers
jkwilson
Well-known member
I have a timing light and dwell meter that haven't been out of the drawer they are in for close to 30 years. Same drawer holds distributor wrenches and a flexible dwell adjusting tool for the GM distributors with the little door on the side.
I'd can the timing light and dwell meter, but my grandparents gave them to me for Christmas when I got my first car. I guess they'll gather dust until I'm gone.
I distinctly remember the rush when my mom had acceleration issues on her car and I was able to diagnose a bad vacuum advance with my timing light. I was 16 and went to the auto parts store and got a new one and had the car running sweet again in no time. Hooked me for life on fixing things. Auto parts stores weren't the big, well-lighted places we have now. Little store front maybe 12'X12' with a counter with ash trays everywhere and a couple of stools along with the massive books where they'd look up your parts.
I'd can the timing light and dwell meter, but my grandparents gave them to me for Christmas when I got my first car. I guess they'll gather dust until I'm gone.
I distinctly remember the rush when my mom had acceleration issues on her car and I was able to diagnose a bad vacuum advance with my timing light. I was 16 and went to the auto parts store and got a new one and had the car running sweet again in no time. Hooked me for life on fixing things. Auto parts stores weren't the big, well-lighted places we have now. Little store front maybe 12'X12' with a counter with ash trays everywhere and a couple of stools along with the massive books where they'd look up your parts.
txz28
Well-known member
I actually use mine quite regularly. I have a couple that I use when I need to drive a couple of screws. I really like them for electrical faceplate screws. I can avoid cracking the faceplate that way. They have two inherent advantages.
First, they have no batteries required. I don't have to worry about finding a charged battery. Also, they will never leak.
Two, they are more compact and can reach into smaller spaces than a drill.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I think I still have all of the above ... somewhere !
They were an "extravagant" purchase but used frequently in my mobile oil change/tune up business. Not that the business did well, between college and 1 or 2 additional jobs.
panknuckshovel
Well-known member
I miss that store.
Had two of them in the town I grew up in, 120yr old buildings for both. When the guy went upstairs to get your part, dirt from the floorboards would come down on your head.I miss that store.
I miss that store too. In the mid-80's, I bought my first socket set there (KAL), and a hi-lift jack with my own money while I was in junior high. To work there, you had to look like Keith Fenner, be a volunteer fireman, and refuse to say "Toyota". The most common substitute for "Toyota" was "Little Foreign Jobby". Man, I gotta go find some corn-nuts and a Cars tape......
But are they necessary, or the best tool for the job? So many things can screw those in I can't think of any screw driving tool that can't.
454ragtop
Well-known member
oil can spout
wyo george
Well-known member
Funny, I still drive a vehicle with points ignition and four wheel drums! It's not my daily, but it works when I need it 
I will say, points are cheap enough I never use my points file anymore so it's obsolete for me.
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I will say, points are cheap enough I never use my points file anymore so it's obsolete for me.
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lakota
Well-known member
Those old ball sized sockets and open end wrenches, probably common before WWII, like 11/32, 17/32, 25/32, etc.
Star drills used with a hammer to make holes in concrete.
Two man saws used to cut wood, also axes.
Star drills used with a hammer to make holes in concrete.
Two man saws used to cut wood, also axes.
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Farmall450
Well-known member
Funny, I still drive a vehicle with points ignition and four wheel drums! It's not my daily, but it works when I need it
I will say, points are cheap enough I never use my points file anymore so it's obsolete for me.
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Still use mine all the time!
manioso
Well-known member
Valve spring compressor for flat head engines.
wyo george
Well-known member
Still use mine all the time!
Well, to be completely honest, I still use my points files fairly often, just not on points
My only current points ignition vehicle is a '69 Dodge 318 ('65 Chevy is running petronix) and I can buy a set of points for about $5 so I just toss a new set in every six months when I change the oil. It takes about 15 minutes and I enjoy it as it's not a task I get to do anymore except on that old Mopar. The last thing I used the points files on were a set of contacts in an industrial switch at work.
wild cowboy
Banned
Timing light is still useful, have to ensure the computer & crank position sensor are doing their job correctly, even on modern cars.
Many of the tools mentioned here are still applicable on classic cars, such as my '67 Camaro shown below
as far as drum brakes, get the spring puller shown below, makes drum brakes easy!
Many of the tools mentioned here are still applicable on classic cars, such as my '67 Camaro shown below
as far as drum brakes, get the spring puller shown below, makes drum brakes easy!
ttpete
Well-known member
I have a snap-on one. And a set of tappet wrenches. My generator is powered by a side valve Willys engine. I have a lot of older tools.
I retired 14 years ago, and the only things I work on now are my motorcycles. I have no need to get rid of anything, so the tools just stay. Once in awhile a friend will ask for help on a vintage car, and they come in handy.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
You CAN'T be serious.
And if you are I just LMAO.
Very myopic view of tools if you really think they are.